Pakistan Squad vs Australia: Expected announcement date, Rizwan likely to be named new ODI and T20I captain

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Pakistan Squad vs Australia: The new selection committee of Pakistan consisting of Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafique and Hasan Cheema are very likely to announce the Pakistan Squad for Australia's white-ball tour in the next week.

Pakistan are scheduled to play their first ODI of the three match series on November 4 in Melbourne. The Pakistan squad is very likely to leave after the conclusion of the third Test against England on October 28, and therefore the announcement of the Pakistan squad for the ODI and T20I series against Australia can be made in the next two-three days.

Reports have emerged that Mohammad Rizwan will be named the new white-ball captain of Pakistan. The wicketkeeper-batter will succeed Babar Azam who stepped down from the role earlier this month.

The Pakistani selectors have held meetings with the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and also consulted white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten in the last two days.

"The third Test against England finishes on 28th October and the squad has to leave for Australia the next day so the selectors would be announcing the white ball squad by Sunday," a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

"Rizwan because of his seniority, his reliability as a player and because of his experience of leading teams well in domestic cricket and PSL is a front runner to become white ball captain," the source said.

The source said since the Board has now given the selectors the power to pick the captain. Aaqib, Azhar Ali and Aleem Dar have apparently already held talks with Rizwan and sought his willingness to take over this responsibility. However, the final decision will be taken by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The source said the selectors are likely to include Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah in the white ball squad after being rested and sidelined for the last two Tests against England.

"The selectors are also keen to have some new young players in the squad so there is every likelihood they might announce different squads for the three tours to give exposure to more players and also rest to seniors," the source confirmed

All-rounder Aamir Jamal and wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah are in consideration to be named in Pakistan squad for the ODI series against Australia.

Following the Australia tour, Pakistan will travel to Zimbabwe for three ODIs and three T20Is in November-December. The Men in Green will the fly to South Africa where they will play three T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches in December-January.

(With Input From PTI)